Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

Pro basketball

NBA schedules more labor talks

NEW YORK — With one round of cancellations behind them and more significant ones looming without a new labor deal soon, representatives for NBA players and owners will meet today and perhaps Wednesday for talks aimed at ending the lockout. The union has canceled a regional meeting with players today in Miami so its negotiators can meet with league officials in New York instead. Both sides said after meeting last week that they hoped to talk again this week, but scheduling conflicts threatened to make that difficult. Union executive director Billy Hunter was supposed to travel to Miami on Monday to brief players today, and some members of both bargaining teams will be unavailable from Wednesday evening through Friday evening because of the Jewish holiday. It's unclear who will take part in the talks, though the expectation is it will again be small groups.

JIGGA TO OPEN ARENA: Nets part-owner Jay-Z will open the team's Brooklyn arena by performing there in September 2012. "Maybe one, maybe two, maybe three" concerts, he said at a news conference across the street from the construction site. The hip-hop mogul paused then added, "I sound like LeBron (James)."

AUTOS

Wheldon lined up to race in Kentucky

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and St. Petersburg resident Dan Wheldon will race this weekend at Kentucky Speedway as a warmup for his bid to win $5 million in the IndyCar season finale.

Wheldon will drive for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in Sunday's race at Kentucky and the Oct. 16 finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He will replace Alex Tagliani at Kentucky.

TENNIS

Sharapova cruises in wet Tokyo event

Second-seeded Maria Sharapova defeated Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2, 7-5 in a second-round match at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, played under the roof because of rain. Also advancing were seventh-seeded Marion Bartoli, eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic and 12th-seeded Ana Ivanovic.

MALAYSIAN OPEN: Marcos Baghdatis defeated sixth-seeded Alex Bogomolov Jr. 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 in the first round in Kuala Lumpur.

THAILAND OPEN: Fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig and sixth-seeded Fabio Fognini lost in the first round in Bangkok.

SOCCER

Brazilian official under investigation

Prosecutor Marcelo Freire will order Brazilian police to investigate federation president Ricardo Teixeira over a money transfer allegedly stemming from kickbacks. Teixeira, perhaps the most powerful figure in Brazilian soccer, is accused of taking kickbacks from a former FIFA marketing partner in the 1990s.

MORE SCANDAL: Chris Eaton, head of security for FIFA, called on players and officials involved in match fixing to step forward with the truth to help in the sentencing of bans from the game. Eaton was winding up a trip to Zimbabwe where the sport has been mired in corruption allegations.

ROONEY OUT: Manchester United will be without striker Wayne Rooney (hamstring) against FC Basel today when the English Premier League champion chases its first win in this season's Champions League.

ET CETERA

ARENA LEAGUE: The Tampa Bay Storm acquired QB Nick Hill on the first day of free agency. Hill has played the past two seasons with the Orlando Predators.

Times wires

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

PHILADELPHIA — Friendly trash talking ensued Monday at Citizens Bank Park after the league said the Flyers will face the Rangers in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2 at the 45,000-seat site.

"We're going to come to Philadelphia," New York team president Glen Sather said, "and we are going to win."

The 200 Flyers fans in attendance jeered Sather, who then said: "Now that's more like it! I knew I could get a rise out of you sooner or later. I've respected the fans in Philadelphia all the years I've been here. I'm sorry we kicked the hell out of you twice in the Stanley Cup, and we're going to do the same thing on (Jan. 2), and at the end of the year, we will be carrying the Cup, just like the Yankees are going to have the world championship as well."

Flyers founder and chairman Ed Snider responded: "When he said, 'we kicked the hell out of you in two Stanley Cups,' he wasn't talking about the Rangers. I remember kicking the hell out of the Rangers on the way to our Cups!"

The fans loved the nod to the Flyers championships in 1975 and 1976 — but not Stanley Cup losses to Sather's Oilers in 1985 and 1987.

Suspensions: Blue Jackets defenseman James Wisniewski was suspended through the first eight regular-season games for a blow to the head of Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck after the regulation horn sounded Friday, and Wild forward Brad Staubitz was suspended through the first three regular-season games for an illegal check on the Jackets' Cody Bass.

Blues: Forward David Perron rejoined the team, though he is not close to playing, more than 10 months after he was sidelined by a concussion.

Canadiens: Defenseman Chris Campoli, 27, who played for the Senators and Blackhawks last season, signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract. Montreal All-Star defenseman Andrei Markov, rehabbing after a knee operation, isn't expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

MIAMI — Marlins manager Jack McKeon says he'll retire after the season, ending at age 80 a three-month career comeback.

He's already plotting his next return.

The retirement announcement had been anticipated, and McKeon made it Monday. He's the second-oldest manager in history, and he joked that he hopes to come back in a few years to surpass Connie Mack, who managed the Philadelphia Athletics until age 87.

"I'll still be on call," he said with a chuckle. "Hopefully in 2017 or '18 I'll be back. That would be the big motivation — to beat Connie."

McKeon also came out of retirement in 2003 and led the Marlins to a World Series title five months later. He retired again at age 74 after the 2005 season but returned in June as interim manager after Edwin Rodriguez resigned.

"If I had to take a poll of my family, they wouldn't have wanted me to come back this year," McKeon said. "But out of my loyalty to the organization, I just had to."

SETBACK FOR CARTER: Hall of Fame C Gary Carter, who is being treated for cancerous brain tumors, has "an abnormal and unusual spot" on his right temple and was scheduled for a biopsy, daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in the family's online journal.

ANGELS: Rookie 1B Mark Trumbo will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his right foot.

BLUE JAYS: Manager John Farrell left the team to be with his son, Luke, 20, who was scheduled for major surgery in Boston.

BRAVES: RH reliever Peter Moylan plans to have surgery on a partially torn right rotator cuff but hopes to return next season.

BREWERS: The team will set a home attendance record this season.

D'BACKS: Neurological tests were negative on RF Justin Upton, who was beaned Sunday by Giants RHP Tim Lincecum.

PIRATES: CF Andrew McCutchen was scratched after he was hit by a ball in the lower abdomen during batting practice.

RED SOX: 3B Kevin Youkilis, who has hip bursitis and a sports hernia, is unlikely to play in the final three regular-season games.

ROCKIES: RF Carlos Gonzalez was shut down for the season with a right wrist injury, and SS Troy Tulowitzki (hip) will be available only in an emergency.

TIGERS: Former LHP Mike Maroth was hired as pitching coach at Class A Lakeland for the 2012 season.

WHITE SOX: Ozzie Guillen met with owner Jerry Reinsdorf, but his future as manager is still up in the air. Guillen said he wants to return but only for a contract extension for more money.

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

MIAMI — According to published reports out of Chicago, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is out the door and headed to South Florida to manage the Marlins when they open their new ballpark in April.

The White Sox confirmed late Monday that they and Guillen have parted ways.

"The White Sox have agreed to Ozzie Guillen's request to be released from his contract, allowing the manager to pursue other opportunities," the White Sox said in a statement.

"I personally appreciate everything Ozzie has done for this organization, our fans and the city of Chicago," White Sox team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said. "We shared the greatest moments together and wish him nothing but future success in baseball and in life."

ESPNChicago.com had reported that Guillen was traded to the Marlins for two minor-leaguers. The Marlins declined comment but did not deny the reports.

Guillen would replace Jack McKeon, who announced that he will retire after the season at age 80, as expected.

McKeon is the second-oldest manager in history after Connie Mack, who managed the Philadelphia Athletics until age 87.

SETBACK FOR CARTER: Hall of Fame C Gary Carter, who is being treated for cancerous brain tumors, has "an abnormal and unusual spot" on his right temple and was scheduled for a biopsy, daughter Kimmy Bloemers wrote in the family's online journal.

ANGELS: Rookie 1B Mark Trumbo will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his right foot.

BLUE JAYS: Manager John Farrell left the team to be with his son, Luke, 20, who was scheduled for major surgery in Boston.

BRAVES: RH reliever Peter Moylan plans to have surgery on a partially torn right rotator cuff but hopes to return next season.

BREWERS: The team will set a home attendance record this season.

D'BACKS: Neurological tests were negative on RF Justin Upton, who was beaned Sunday by Giants RHP Tim Lincecum.

PIRATES: CF Andrew McCutchen was scratched after he was hit by a ball in the lower abdomen during batting practice.

RED SOX: 3B Kevin Youkilis, who has hip bursitis and a sports hernia, is unlikely to play in the final three regular-season games.

ROCKIES: RF Carlos Gonzalez was shut down for the season with a right wrist injury, and SS Troy Tulowitzki (hip) will be available only in an emergency.

TIGERS: Former LHP Mike Maroth was hired as pitching coach at Class A Lakeland for the 2012 season.

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dont'a Hightower isn't quite sure what to make of the new Florida offense, where the Gators are leading the league in rushing and have the tailbacks to thank for it.

"These last couple of years, you haven't seen too many guys come out and put up big numbers like that that's not Tim Tebow or Percy Harvin from Florida," said Hightower, a linebacker for No. 3 Alabama.

As Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban says, that's the "old Florida." Now, the 12th-ranked Gators are running a pro-style offense under new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis going into Saturday's meeting in Gainesville with the staple being handoffs to tailbacks Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

Now Florida's methods more closely resemble the offense Alabama defenders are used to seeing: Their own. Both have two running backs in the top 10 in the SEC with quarterbacks ranked fifth (Alabama's AJ McCarron) and sixth (Florida's John Brantley) in passing.

Most of the big plays have come on the ground for both teams.

Saban said the Gators are still dangerous in space and on perimeter runs and create difficult matchups.

"They're not the typical zone option, sort of spread, Mississippi State, old Florida," he said. "It's not that. But they do a great job of featuring the talent and the players that they have and what they do well."

SEC welcomes aggies: Commissioner Mike Slive welcomed Texas A&M as the 13th SEC member and said he doesn't expect to add another team before the Aggies begin play next season.

Extra point controversy: Mid-American commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said there's no way to grant Toledo's request to take away Syracuse's overtime win despite a blown call on an extra point. Syracuse coach Doug Marrone acknowledged the error by Big East officials, "but as far as we're concerned here, we've moved on to the next opponent."

Arkansas: Defensive end Tenarius Wright is out 4-6 weeks with a broken arm.

Connecticut: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy confirmed that UConn is interested in joining the ACC if it expands to 16 teams. Malloy said he no longer expects the ACC to act quickly after adding Pitt and Syracuse from the Big East this month.

Nebraska: Two-time first-team All-Big 12 defensive tackle Jared Crick recovered from a head injury and is ready to face Wisconsin on Saturday.

Washington: Hau'oli Jamora, the team's best pass-rushing end, is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

Basketball: Michigan guard Jordan Dumars, the son of Pistons president Joe Dumars who transferred from USF during the 2009-10 season, is leaving the team. He didn't play a game at Michigan because of knee and shoulder injuries. … Acclaimed Ohio State recruit LaQuinton Ross, a forward from Jackson, Miss., will not play for the Buckeyes after the NCAA ruled he had not qualified academically. … Arizona's Kevin Parrom was shot in the left hand and right knee during a dispute Saturday while visiting family in New York. He should be okay, the university and police said. No arrests have been made.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — James Shields was adamant Monday was not going to be his last start of the season. He did everything he could to ensure that, pitching into the ninth inning to lead the Rays to a 5-2 victory over the Yankees.

With the win, the Rays reclaimed a share of the lead in the AL wild-card race as the Red Sox lost at Baltimore 6-3.

More importantly, they regained control of their own destiny.

If they win their final two games against the Yankees and beat the Red Sox in a one-game playoff on Thursday afternoon at the Trop, they will be flying off to face the Tigers or Rangers on Friday. They could do it with less work, of course, if they win their final two and the Red Sox win only one in Baltimore, or if the Rays win one and the Sox don't win any.

Better yet for the Rays, they have the pitching matchups in their favor: rookie of the year candidate Jeremy Hellickson going tonight against battered Bartolo Colon, David Price on Wednesday against a Yankees reliever to be named and Jeff Niemann or, potentially, rookie phenom Matt Moore for a potential playoff Thursday.

The Rays trailed early Monday before a spirited but small Tropicana Field crowd of 18,772, and didn't look good in doing so with a pair of questionable baserunning moves leading to two inning-ending outs at home plate. But they rallied in the third with B.J. Upton getting the biggest hit and Johnny Damon adding another, then built on from there.

Shields overcame a bit of a shaky start to fall one out shy of a complete game, removed after a two-out walk in the ninth on his 117th pitch. Kyle Farnsworth finished, retiring impressive rookie Jesus Montero on a ground ball to third.

The Yankees, with the AL East title and homefield advantage through the first two rounds wrapped up, helped out, fielding a mostly regular lineup but starting rookie reliever Hector Noesi and using four irrelevant relievers, and rehabbing Phil Hughes, behind him.

The Sox led at Baltimore 1-0 and 2-1 but were done in, again, by the scrappy Orioles, the key hit a three-run inside-the-park homer by Robert Andino in the sixth. The Sox will send Erik Bedard to the mound tonight.

The Yankees took a 2-0 lead off Shields as Robinson Cano homered with two outs in the first then singled in Brett Gardner with one out in the third. The Rays took the lead with a three-run outburst in the third off Noesi, Upton doubling in two and Damon singling in the other with his 2,721st career hit, tying Lou Gehrig for 57th all time. They added to the lead when catcher Kelly Shoppach — in the lineup, manager Joe Maddon acknowledged, for "comfort" defensively — homered for the second straight day.

The Rays seemed their usual loose selves before the game despite the increased stakes and inflated media coverage, a few players on the field in the early afternoon hitting golf balls and others throwing a football.

They made some mistakes early in the game, highlighted by Upton and Evan Longoria being thrown out at the plate to end innings. But they got sharper, leftfielder Desmond Jennings making a spectacular running and diving catch on the centerfield side of left-center to rob Derek Jeter in the fifth and Shields helping himself by picking off Eduardo Nunez after a seventh-inning walk.

The Rays made the last out at home plate on the back end of double plays in two of the first three innings on questionable baserunning plays, apparently trying to take advantage of the Yankees having veteran catcher/DH Jorge Posada at first base.

Marc Topkin can be reached at topkin@sptimes.com.

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

Phillies 4, Braves 2

ATLANTA — The Braves took another wrenching loss, squandering an early two-run lead against Cliff Lee and Philadelphia. Atlanta lost its third in a row and seventh in 10 and fell to 9-16 in September.

Times staff, wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

TALLAHASSEE — The attorney for Florida State CB Greg Reid said Monday afternoon that he was "puzzled" by the charges the Tallahassee Police Department arrested his client on in the wee hours of the morning.

Reid was arrested early Monday by police on two misdemeanor charges.

According to a police report, the 21-year-old junior was booked on perjury not in an official proceeding and resisting an officer without violence. He was booked at the Leon County Jail, posted a $500 bond and was released Monday morning.

According to police, Reid's friend, Rontrel Frazier, was being pursued on suspicion of forcefully resisting arrest after being stopped by police while riding a scooter owned by Reid. During questioning, Reid signed a sworn written statement that was false, police said, despite being told beforehand that he would be guilty of perjury if he didn't answer truthfully.

"We are puzzled with how and why they arrested Greg," attorney Tim Jansen said.

Coach Jimbo Fisher was out of town, and the school said there would be no immediate response.

In an earlier incident, Reid and teammate Telvin Smith were suspended for the Charleston Southern game in Week 2 for an unspecified violation of team rules.

trickett honored: FSU redshirt freshman QB Clint Trickett was named ACC rookie of the week. In a loss to Clemson, he was 24-of-38 for 336 yards and three touchdowns.

USF: Punt return needs

TAMPA — With punt returner Terrence Mitchell out for Thursday's Big East opener at Pittsburgh due to a concussion, USF will gauge a group of possible replacements, coach Skip Holtz said.

WR Evan Landi, who replaced Mitchell but didn't make a return on a punt in the second half against UTEP, is one player Holtz trusts to fill the role. Landi gained experience by fielding punts during fall camp.

"We call him Fair Catch Landi," Holtz said. "He catches the ball. When you're looking at a backup punt returner, the one thing you want to make sure you can do is secure the ball. We just trust Evan with so many things because he's so accountable, reliable and dependable, and he does everything the right way."

Other possible options: WRs Victor Marc, Andre Davis and Stephen Bravo-Brown.

Ian Lanphier, Times correspondent

UM: Miller should play

CORAL GABLES — Miami coach Al Golden listed RB Lamar Miller as probable for Saturday's game against Bethune-Cookman.

The nation's fifth-leading rusher (136.3 yards a game) sustained a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of a loss to Kansas State. He returned, but the injury prevented him from carrying the ball when UM failed to score the go-ahead touchdown on four tries from the 2.

Notable: Expect tackling to be the main emphasis on defense this week. Golden was upset with missed tackles against Kansas State.

South Florida Sun Sentinel

UCF: Special teams focus

ORLANDO — UCF coach George O'Leary said the bye week focus will be on improving special teams.

Five turnovers contributed heavily to two straight losses. The biggest miscues were on special teams.

Josh Robinson and J.J. Worton fumbled punts against FIU and BYU, setting up winning touchdowns. UCF also gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown and Nick Cattoi missed a 35-yard field goal against the Cougars.

O'Leary will rotate more experienced players onto special teams.

"The main concern for me is special teams," O'Leary said. "Just playing probably too many young players that probably aren't ready for the speed of the game."

Iliana Limon, Orlando Sentinel

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Jeremy Hellickson enters tonight's must-win start against the Yankees acknowledging that it already feels like the playoffs.

"It does," he said. "It's kind of like the situation I came up last year in and it has the same feeling."

Hellickson was called up during the pennant race late last season, winning three of his four starts. He has been just as good this September, going 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA in four outings. The Rays, now tied with Boston for the wild-card spot, will need him as sharp as in his last outing against the Yankees, when he allowed two runs and two hits over seven innings Thursday in a no-decision.

"They're a tough lineup," Hellickson said. "So you never know what's going to happen."

CATCHING ON: Manager Joe Maddon said C Kelly Shoppach starting Monday was "purely a comfort move," for better defense and for how well he works with RHP James Shields. Maddon hadn't decided on the rest of the series, but Shoppach could play in the final two games.

GEARING UP: Though the Yankees have already clinched the AL East and the league's best record, manager Joe Girardi said he plans to play to win each game of this series. However, he said his main goal is to have his team ready for Friday's division series opener, and with just one off day before the playoffs, it will impact how he uses his bullpen, specifically Wednesday when it's possible none of their postseason pitchers will appear.

THREE-WAY: As expected, the Rays took the option of playing just one game — albeit on the road — if they end up in a three-way tie with the Red Sox and Angels for the AL wild card. The Rays were the top seed of the three by having the best combined record against the two; in that scenario, the Angels and Red Sox would play Thursday in Boston, and the Rays would play the winner Friday, with the winner being the AL wild card.

MINOR MATTERS: The Rays announced their minor-league award winners, with LHP Matt Moore named minor-league pitcher of the year and C/OF Stephen Vogt minor-league player of the year.

Moore, 22, who won his first big-league start Thursday in New York, went 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA in a combined 27 starts for Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.

"To be recognized for something like that, it's definitely an honor," Moore said. "There's been at least two guys in the last two years in this clubhouse that have received this award, so it's definitely pretty special to be recognized for that."

Vogt, 25, led the organization with 105 RBIs in 128 games between Montgomery and Durham. SS Hak-Ju Lee was ranked the organization's best defensive player, INF Tyler Bortnick the organization's best baserunner and RHP Chris Rearick the best relief pitcher.

MISCELLANY: Until midnight tonight, fans can register for a chance to purchase single-game tickets for potential Rays ALDS, ALCS and World Series games at Tropicana Field. Visit raysbaseball.com under the "Tickets" tab. Register once to be entered into random drawings. Fans whose entries are selected through the drawing will be notified by e-mail. … The local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce its selected Rays team MVP before tonight's game.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — CF B.J. Upton's September surge at the plate has been one to remember.

Upton had two more hits Monday, including the tying two-run double in the third inning of the Rays' 5-2 win.

In September, he's hitting .348 (32-for-92), his highest single-month average since he hit .362 in July 2007.

"B.J. likes this time of year," manager Joe Maddon said. "B.J. likes playoff baseball. He's done well there in the past and he kind of rises to the occasion, so this does not surprise me."

Upton also appears to like the two hole, as he's hitting .375 the past 21 games he has been in that spot.

Upton said he's just not trying to do too much.

"I don't know what I'm doing, and don't want to know," he said. "I just hope that I can keep doing it."

No worries: RF Matt Joyce, who fouled a pitch off the top of his right foot, was replaced in the ninth. Joyce said X-rays were negative, and he expects to be able to play tonight.

CATCHING ON: Maddon said C Kelly Shoppach starting Monday was "purely a comfort move," for better defense and for how he works with RHP James Shields. But Shoppach also provided some pop, homering for the second straight game for the first time since Aug. 26-27, 2008.

THREE-WAY: As expected, the Rays took the option of playing just one game — albeit on the road — if they end up in a three-way tie with the Red Sox and Angels for the AL wild card. The Rays were the top seed of the three by having the best combined record against the two; in that scenario, the Angels and Red Sox would play Thursday in Boston, and the Rays would visit the winner Friday, with that winner being the AL wild card.

MINOR MATTERS: The Rays announced their minor-league award winners, with LHP Matt Moore named minor-league pitcher of the year and C/OF Stephen Vogt minor-league player of the year.

Moore, 22, who won his first big-league start Thursday in New York, went 12-3 with a 1.92 ERA in a combined 27 starts for Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.

"To be recognized for something like that, it's definitely an honor," Moore said. "There's been at least two guys in the last two years in this clubhouse that have received this award, so it's definitely pretty special to be recognized for that."

Vogt, 25, led the organization with 105 RBIs in 128 games between Montgomery and Durham. SS Hak-Ju Lee was ranked the organization's best defensive player, INF Tyler Bortnick the organization's best baserunner and RHP Chris Rearick the best relief pitcher.

TICKET TIME: Until midnight tonight, fans can register for a chance to purchase single-game tickets for potential Rays ALDS, ALCS and World Series games at Tropicana Field. Visit raysbaseball.com under the "Tickets" tab. Register once to be entered into random drawings. Fans whose entries are selected through the drawing will be notified by e-mail.

MIscellany: RHP James Shields recorded his major-league-leading 13th pickoff this season. … The Rays have now won 28 consecutive games when scoring five or more. … The local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce its selected Rays team MVP before tonight's game.

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts' position on Peyton Manning hasn't changed.

He's on the active roster, still going through rehabilitation and might yet return this season.

Monday, Colts owner Jim Irsay used Twitter to clarify comments he reportedly made during a private breakfast with Super Bowl donors in Indianapolis, comments that seemed to indicate Indy's franchise quarterback would miss the entire season.

The tweet cited an "outside chance" of Manning returning in December. Indy's final regular-season game is Jan. 1.

Manning, a four-time MVP, was expected to miss at least two months after having neck surgery Sept. 8 and possibly more.

Meanwhile, team officials declined to say whether replacement starter Kerry Collins suffered a concussion in Sunday night's loss to the Steelers.

Vick's hand injury a bruise, not a break

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles coach Andy Reid said a CT scan showed star quarterback Michael Vick's right (nonthrowing) hand is bruised, not broken after Sunday's loss to the Giants.

"(Monday), he had a scan and it showed there was no break," Reid said. " … There is still a bunch of swelling."

It's uncertain if Vick, a lefty, will play Sunday when the Eagles host the 49ers.

The quarterback also backpedaled from his criticism of officials, saying Monday, "The refs have to do their jobs, and they have tons of things to look over. I was kind of out of character and being too candid in that aspect." He blasted officials Sunday for not calling more penalties on players who hit him late.

BENGALS: The team's union representative, Andrew Whitworth, is upset that running back Cedric Benson and other NFL players face suspensions for offseason incidents. Benson and cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones are appealing suspensions for arrests that occurred during the lockout. They were among eight repeat offenders who could have faced punishment for actions during the lockout.

BROWNS: Running back Peyton Hillis attended team meetings after being sent home with strep throat before Sunday's game.

EAGLES: Receiver Riley Cooper, a former Florida and Clearwater Central Catholic star, has a concussion. His status is uncertain.

JETS: Quarterback Mark Sanchez has a broken nose but will play at Baltimore. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie has a bruised lung and ribs and his status is uncertain.

TITANS: Coach Mike Munchak said receiver Kenny Britt tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee and will need season-ending surgery once the swelling subsides.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2011

Rays vs. Yankees

When/where: 7:10 tonight; Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM, 680-AM (Spanish)

Starting pitchers:

RAYS:

RH Jeremy Hellickson (13-10, 2.90)

YANKEES:

RH Bartolo Colon (8-10, 4.02)

Tickets: $17-$275 at box office, Ticketmaster, raysbaseball.com, team store in Tampa; $3 surcharge within five hours of game.

Watch for …

Jeremy the kid: Hellickson, an AL rookie of the year candidate, has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts, including two runs and two hits in a no-decision against the Yankees last week. He is 2-1 with a 4.09 ERA in five career appearances (three starts) against New York.

Stepping up: Colon has not won since July 30 and allowed seven runs over three innings in a loss to Tampa Bay last week. He is 0-3 with a 6.60 ERA in three starts against the Rays this season.

Key matchups

Rays vs. Colon

Johnny Damon 19-for-55, 2 HRs

Ben Zobrist 5-for-9, 2 HRs

B.J. Upton 6-for-18, HR

Yankees vs. Hellickson

R. Cano 5-for-9, 2 HRs

Derek Jeter 2-for-9

Mark Teixeira 3-for-10

On deck

Wednesday: vs. Yankees, 7:10, Sun Sports. Rays — David Price (12-13, 3.35); Yankees — TBA

End regular season

Milestone watch

DH Johnny Damon has passed his share of Hall of Famers, including Ted Williams, on the career hits list this season. Monday, Damon's go-ahead RBI single in the third tied him with Yankees legend Lou Gehrig for 57th all time (2,721). "Lou Gehrig very well could be in that category as the best hitter of all time, best player of all time, a champion," Damon said. "His numbers are just absolutely ridiculous."

Quote of the day

"We have nothing to prove. If we win, everyone says 'Wow.' If we lose, they say, 'Wow, they came that close.' If Boston doesn't make it, they say, 'Man, I can't believe they didn't make it.' The pressure is on them."

INF Sean Rodriguez, on the Rays chasing the Red Sox for the wild-card spot, having trailed by nine games earlier this month

Number of the day

29 Times a Rays starter has gone eight innings or longer and allowed two runs or fewer; the last AL team to have that many was the 1998 Yankees (33).

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

BALTIMORE — The Red Sox found another way to lose, this time on a broken-bat single and an inside-the-park homer, and their 6-3 defeat against the Orioles on Monday night dropped them into a tie in the AL wild-card race.

Boston's 17th loss in 22 games enabled the Rays to pull even in the duel for the league's final playoff spot. Tampa Bay trailed by nine games after play Sept. 3.

With the score tied at 2 in the sixth inning, Boston starter Josh Beckett allowed four runs in an uprising that began with Vladimir Guerrero becoming the career hits leader among Dominican-born players.

Guerrero broke a tie with Julio Franco by bouncing a single up the middle, his 2,587th career hit. Guerrero, 36, then stole second, and after a two-out walk to Mark Reynolds, Chris Davis broke his bat on a soft liner to right that brought in the go-ahead run.

Robert Andino followed with a deep fly to center that Jacoby Ellsbury had in his glove before he crashed into the wall. Andino sprinted around the bases and made it home as the relay bounced past catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Boston loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but Pedro Strop struck out Saltalamacchia and retired Marco Scutaro on a grounder.

Although Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI single in the ninth, the Red Sox stranded two runners and fell short in their bid to win a second straight game for the first time since Aug. 27. Boston is 6-19 in September, the second-worst record in the majors behind the Twins. It's also Boston's second-worst September ever, with only a 4-18 mark in 1926 surpassing it, according to STATS LLC.

Jed Lowrie homered for the Red Sox, whose September swoon includes four losses in five games against Baltimore.

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

BALTIMORE — The Red Sox found another way to lose, this time on a broken-bat single and an inside-the-park homer, and their 6-3 defeat against the Orioles on Monday night dropped them into a tie in the AL wild-card race.

Boston's 17th loss in 22 games enabled the Rays to pull even in the duel for the league's final playoff spot. Tampa Bay trailed by nine games after play Sept. 3.

With the score tied at 2 in the sixth inning, Boston starter Josh Beckett allowed four runs in an uprising that began with Vladimir Guerrero becoming the career hits leader among Dominican-born players.

Guerrero broke a tie with Julio Franco by bouncing a single up the middle, his 2,587th career hit. Guerrero, 36, then stole second, and after a two-out walk to Mark Reynolds, Chris Davis broke his bat on a soft liner to right that brought in the go-ahead run.

Robert Andino followed with a deep fly to center that Jacoby Ellsbury had in his glove before he crashed into the wall. Andino sprinted around the bases and made it home as the relay bounced past catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Boston loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but Pedro Strop struck out Saltalamacchia and retired Marco Scutaro on a grounder.

Although Dustin Pedroia hit an RBI single in the ninth, the Red Sox stranded two runners and fell short in their bid to win a second straight game for the first time since Aug. 27. Boston is 6-19 in September, the second-worst record in the majors behind the Twins. It's also Boston's second-worst September ever, with only a 4-18 mark in 1926 surpassing it, according to STATS LLC.

Jed Lowrie homered for the Red Sox, whose September swoon includes four losses in five games against Baltimore.

By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist
Monday, September 26, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — There are memories still to come. That's what the defeat at Camden Yards provided, and that's what the victory at Tropicana Field ensured.

And yet, in many ways, this is the way the season should be recalled:

With James Shields grumpily handing the ball to manager Joe Maddon, and walking off the field in the ninth inning with an ovation ringing in his ears.

This season belongs to Shields. No matter what happens in the days to come, no matter who may be the hero today or tomorrow, the fans of Tampa Bay are in debt to Shields.

"We wouldn't be here having this conversation if it wasn't for him," said pitching coach Jim Hickey. "He's been incredible. What he's done has been ridiculous."

Shields has been the rock in a season that has been anything but solid. He was the starter on the day the Rays ended their 0-6 start to the season. He was practically unbeatable when the wins started coming in droves in August. And he was one out from another complete game when the Rays finally caught the Red Sox on Monday night.

"Pretty fitting," reliever J.P. Howell said. "He's been our guy."

7:16 p.m. Robinson Cano hits a 1-1 pitch 422 feet over the centerfield wall to put New York up 1-0. Moments later, the score is announced on the air on Boston's WEEI with the Red Sox leading the Orioles 1-0. "If ever you can convince yourself to cheer for the Yankees," Red Sox announcer Dave O'Brien said, "tonight's the night."

Things weren't right early. His heart was pounding, his mechanics were off and his pitches were missing the mark.

Moments after giving up the homer to Cano, Shields got Alex Rodriguez to bounce out to third to end the inning. And as everyone else jogged off the field, he walked slowly to the dugout and held his glove over his face to hide the curses he had for himself.

"This is the playoffs for our team right now. We're fighting. We don't have the gimmes like we've had the last few years," Shields said. "Every out, every home run, every mistake you make, it gets magnified."

8:05 p.m. Jed Lowrie hits a home run in Baltimore to put the Red Sox up 2-1. Eight minutes later at Tropicana, B.J. Upton doubles to drive in two runs and tie the score 2-2. "They're not going to go away," Red Sox announcer Joe Castiglione said.

For three innings, Shields was not quite himself. He was throwing almost as many balls as strikes, and his command in the strike zone was lacking, too.

He bumped into a coffee cup in the dugout in the third, and had to change his uniform top. An inning later, he changed some mechanics, and the game began to hum.

"The first three innings he was getting way too long, he was overdoing it, he was probably too pumped up," Hickey said. "After that, he shortened up his stride a little bit, and that's when you saw some quicker outs."

8:48 p.m. Chris Davis hits an RBI single off Josh Beckett to tie the score 2-2 in Baltimore. "You know this score is flashing on the scoreboard at Tropicana tonight and their fans, however many they may have, are celebrating it," O'Brien said on the air.

One out from his major-league leading 12th complete game, Shields walked Eric Chavez. His pitch count was up to 117, and Maddon came out to get him.

For the record, Shields will finish two outs shy of 250 innings for the season.

In the past 10 years, only three AL pitchers have thrown more. Roy Halladay did it in 2003, and won the Cy Young award. Felix Hernandez did it in 2010, and won the Cy Young. Justin Verlander has done it this season, and is certain to win the Cy Young.

"Two outs short? We couldn't go extra innings tonight?" Shields joked. "That's pretty nice, man. You look back at the whole year, I'm very, very happy with the way I came back from last year. It's been a phenomenal year so far.

"But I'll worry about that when the season is over and I'm sitting at home watching some football."

10:18 p.m. Kyle Farnsworth gets the final out, and the Rays are a half-game behind the Red Sox. On Tropicana's scoreboard, the TV broadcast of the Red Sox game is televised as most of the crowd remain in their seats. Three minutes later, the Sox lose. "In Game No. 160, Tampa Bay has caught the Red Sox," O"Brien says on WEEI. "The Red Sox's nine-game lead is gone."

Times wires
Monday, September 26, 2011

Astros 5, Cardinals 4

10 innings

HOUSTON — St. Louis failed to tie Atlanta for the NL wild-card lead when Brian Bogusevic scored on Angel Sanchez's bunt in the 10th inning.

By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ST. PETERSBURG — Manager Joe Maddon has seen many great catches over the course of his more than three decades in professional baseball.

But the diving snow-cone grab by rookie Desmond Jennings on the warning track in the fifth inning of Monday's 5-2 win over the Yankees was tough to top.

"One of the best I've seen," Maddon said.

With the Rays clinging to a two-run lead, Yankees captain Derek Jeter led off the inning with a long fly to left-center. Jennings, a former Alabama receiver recruit, raced to the warning track — Maddon estimated he ran about 40-50 yards — laid out and snagged it as he hit the track, with the ball nearly popping out of the end of his glove.

"Player of the game, as far as I'm concerned," starter James Shields said. "That's probably one of the best catches I've ever seen. That's a game-changer."

Jennings said that after his first couple steps, he didn't think he'd be able to get to it.

"But it stayed in the air longer than I thought," he said. "The closer it got, the more I believed I could get it. Leading off the inning, that'd be a double or a triple. I just laid out and squeezed it as tight as I could, and it stayed."

Maddon said he thought back to a catch former Angels outfielder Darin Erstad made at the old Yankee Stadium years ago.

"I think Desmond had to run farther to get to the ball and really had to lay out on a hard surface, which makes it even worse," Maddon said. "His football training came in very well right there."

Centerfielder B.J. Upton, who has made his share of spectacular catches at Tropicana Field over the years, said he knew it'd be a tough play, "especially in that part of the ballpark."

"But he's got great speed," Upton said. "That's one of the best catches I've seen."

Said shortstop Reid Brignac: "Any time the ball is in the air, with him and B.J. in the outfield, if it's not leaving the park, it's a pretty good chance he's going to catch it."

Jennings has dazzled since his mid July callup with his blend of speed and power. But on Monday, his glove stole the show.

"He's been an unbelievable player since he got called up," Evan Longoria said. "That was probably the biggest play of his career right there."

Times wires
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ARLINGTON, Texas — Tony Romo's ribs held up just fine. So did Dan Bailey's leg.

Romo persevered through pain to lead enough deep drives to set up Bailey for six field goals, including a 40-yarder with 1:57 left to give the Cowboys an 18-16 victory over the Redskins on Monday night.

Dallas' Anthony Spencer chopped the ball from Washington quarterback Rex Grossman with 28 seconds left, and linebacker Sean Lee recovered it, sealing the victory.

"This was a great win for us," said Romo, who was 22-of-36 for 255 yards. "It was a hard, hard game. … We had a million mistakes tonight. We have a lot of young guys, but they were out there for a reason."

Romo, injured Sept. 18 against the 49ers, lacked zip and accuracy and had trouble with four snaps from his new center. But he was at his best with the game on the line.

He hit Laurent Robinson for a 25-yard gain to set up Bailey's fifth field goal. Romo then set up the winner on third and 21 with a scrambling 30-yarder to Dez Bryant — against cornerback DeAngelo Hall, who last week said he hoped "to put my helmet on whatever's hurt." To make matters worse for Hall, he was flagged for a facemask penalty during the tackle to give Dallas another 15 yards.

Bailey, an undrafted rookie, was named the nation's top college kicker last season, at Oklahoma State.

Romo wasn't the only Dallas player to play through pain. Bryant missed the 49ers game with a thigh injury, and Felix Jones separated a shoulder against San Francisco but ran for a career-high 115 yards.

Romo threw an interception that was more like a punt on a play foiled by one of several bad snaps from Phil Costa. Two snaps shot toward Romo when he wasn't ready; two others were quite off-target.

Grossman's 1-yard touchdown to Tim Hightower gave the Redskins a 16-9 lead in the third quarter. The rest of Washington's points came from former Florida State kicker Graham Gano, who made field goals of 50, 46 and 27 yards.

Bryan Burns, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Another race, another victory for Treasure Island 14-year-old Hunter McCann.

McCann continued his recent run of success by winning the fourth annual Miles for Hope 5K in Clearwater on Saturday. The race had 332 finishers.

McCann crossed the finish line in 18 minutes to claim victory.

Trey Howell, 31 of St. Petersburg, was second to McCann in 18:18.

Vince Fountain, 29 of Dunedin, came in third with a time of 18:25.

The women's race was also dominated by area runners.

Lisa Williams, 33 of Largo, was the women's champion after running 20:59. She won by 19 seconds.

Fellow Largo resident Keara McGraw, 27, placed second in a time of 21:18.

Christine Kiernan-Ortiz, 29 of St. Petersburg, came in third place in 21:50.

Pinellas County runners winning their age division were: (F master) Laura Enie, Crystal Beach, 23:18; (F grandmaster) Kathleen Robinson, Pinellas Park, 24:22; (F9 and under) Isabella Pawloski, Palm Harbor, 23:14; (M15-19) Joseph White, Clearwater, 22:32; (M20-24) Jean Luc Zulauf, Clearwater, 20:24; (M25-29) Fountain; (F25-29) McGraw; (M30-34) Howell; (M35-39) Emile MacAire, Clearwater, 21:24; (F35-39) Jennifer Laplante, St. Petersburg, 22:42; (F40-44) Amy Hopkins, Safety Harbor, 23:48; (M45-49) Andrew Scavelli, Palm Harbor, 19:00; (F45-49) Yvonne Bryant, Clearwater, 23:41; (M50-54) Frank Mancari, Clearwater, 23:02; (M55-59) Robert Haynes, Gulfport, 24:29; (F55-59) Deborah Christie, Seminole, 30:30; (M60-64) L.C. Loken, Belleair, 23:05; (F60-64) Ellen Kohn, Palm Harbor, 26:54; (M65-69) Silky Sullivan, Seminole, 25:16; (M70 and over) Peter Scott, Clearwater, 24:16.

Among cancer survivors running in Saturday's race, Debbie Julien of Palm Harbor was the top women's runner after crossing the finish line in a time of 28:59. Second went to Clearwater's Monica Discipio, who ran 31:53.

ONE STEP CLOSER TO A CURE 5K: Jon Mott was the overall champion at Saturday's One Step Closer to a Cure 5K in St. Petersburg. There were 280 finishers.

Mott, 24 of St. Petersburg, was nearly three minutes faster than the rest of the field. He crossed the finish line in 15 minutes, 32 seconds to win handily.

Matthew Thomas, 34 of Clearwater, placed second in 18:26.

Doug Carlan, 38 of Gulfport, was third in 18:58.

Indian Rocks Beach 17-year-old Alicia Konstantinovic was the women's champion by 13 seconds. Konstantinovic clocked in at 22:29 to outpace Tampa's Justine Hilton (22:42), who was second.

Local age group winners were: (F14 and under) Tiffany Neil, Seminole, 27:34; (M15-19) Michael Clennan, Clearwater, 20:59; (M20-24) Blake Oliver, Palm Harbor, 23:34; (F30-34) Stephanie Six, St. Petersburg, 26:35; (M35-39) David Beach, Safety Harbor, 23:06; (M40-44) Chris Pyhel, St. Petersburg, 19:10; (M45-49) Richard Townsend, St. Petersburg, 21:44; (F50-54) Deb Robinson, St. Petersburg, 24:52; (F55-59) Vicki Linkovich, St. Petersburg, 27:26; (M60-64) James Lapolla, St. Petersburg, 34:30; (F60-64) Joanne Willis, St. Petersburg, 49:02; (F65-69) Maxine Nelson, St. Petersburg, 55:23; (M70 and over) Ben Fudge, St. Petersburg, 34:41.

GEORGIA GOLDEN OLYMPICS: A pair of Seminole residents each captured gold in their age group at the Georgia Golden Olympics this summer.

Sandy Scott won the men's 5K and 10K cycling time trial events; Rose Marie Ray was first in the 5K and 10K cycling time trials on the women's side.

Scott broke the Georgia state record in the 10K for his age group (70-74) by 52 seconds. Since December 2006, Scott has won 18 state cycling titles and one national title.

The Georgia Golden Olympics are the Senior Games state championship for Georgia and are a qualifying event for the National Senior Games.

By Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The Tampa Bay Rays have just announced that tickets for a possible Thursday one-game playoff with the Boston Red Sox will go on sale at 9 a.m. Wednesday exclusively at raysbaseball.com.

Game time has not been set, but it is expected to be a late afternoon start.

More details from the team release:

While purchasing their tickets online, fans are encouraged to take advantage of the free "Print at Home" option, allowing fans to print their tickets at home and avoid any lines at will call.

Any remaining tickets would go on sale at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Tropicana Field box office, Rays Tampa Pro Shop & Ticket Outlet (400 N Tampa St. in downtown Tampa), all Ticketmaster locations and via phone toll-free at 1-888-FAN-RAYS (1-888-326-7297).

In the event the tiebreaker game is not played, all credit card charges will be refunded.